MORRIS, Minn.-- A quick start slipped away even more quickly on Friday night in Morris. Men's Basketball got off to a solid start but ended up trailing at halftime and despite numerous efforts in the second half, never caught up to The University of Minnesota-Morris in a 78-61 loss to the Cougars.

The Rams jumped out an 11-4 lead and had the ball looking for more just five minutes into the game. But they missed an opportunity an opportunity to add to the lead and Minnesota-Morris took advantage but running out to a 34-26 halftime advantage less than 15 minutes later.

North Central (8-9, 3-3 UMAC) trailed by double-figures multiple times throughout the second half before the Rams were able to get within 58-52 on a three-point shot by junior Cody Martin (Savage, Minn./Burnsville) with 7:14 left in the game. Morris responded by stretching the lead back to 65-54 before the Rams made their final run to get the difference back to 65-58 with 3:17 remaining.

The Cougars would hit shots and the Rams were whistled for six fouls over the following 2 minutes and the distance widened out to its eventual final scoreline. The Rams missed their final five shots over the last 90 seconds before junior Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) hit a three that ironcially beat the final horn. 

Junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) created one of the lone bright spots of the night for North Central going 5-9 from the three-point line to score a game high 17 points with 4 rebounds. Luke Chafin added 14 points with senior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) scoring 16 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. 

With their loss on Friday the Rams missed a chance to earn a tie for second place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference standings. Saturday, the Rams will be back in action at Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.) looking to stay in the race for one of the UMAC post-season playoff spots. The Rams and Storm are set for a 5 p.m. start.